Method and apparatus for automatically cutting a strip of glass



Jan. 12, 1965 P. GALABERT 3,165,017

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CUTTING A STRIP OF GLASS FiledJuly 16, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 i INVENTOR.

I =7- PIERRE GALABERT ATTQRNEYS Jan. 12, 1965 P. GALABERT 3,165,017

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CUTTING A STRIP 0F GLASS FiledJuly 16, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR PIERRE GALABERT BY M,

ATTOR EYS Jan. 12, 1965 P. GALABERT 3,155,017

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CUTTING A STRIP 0F GLASS FiledJuly 16, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR PIERRE GALA BERT ATTO EYS Jan.12, 1965 P. GALABERT METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CUTTING ASTRIP OF GLASS Filed July 16, 19 62 1 Sheets-Sheet 4 MR CYLINDERINVENTOR. PIERRE GALABERT ATTOR EYS United States Patent 0 3,165,017METHOD AND APPARATUS 1 6R AUTQMATI- QALLY QUTTENG A STE GE GLASS PierreGalahei't, Rueil-Malmaison, France, assignor to Compagnie deSaint-Gobain, Neuiliy sur Seine, France Filed luly 16, 1962, Ser. No.209,890 19 Ciainis. (Ci. 83-7) This invention relates to an apparatusfor and a method of cutting a sheet of glass into pieces. The inventionhas particular advantages in connection with the cutting of a strip ofglass travelling in the direction of its length into sections ofdefinite lengths. The invention is applicable to the cutting of platesand sheets or tubes of all materials, metallic, organic and vitreous.

This application discloses an improvement upon the invention disclosedin application Serial No. 36,036, filed June 14, 1960, assigned to thesame assignee.

The invention disclosed in application Serial No. 36,036 provides anautomatic apparatus and method for cutting into sections ofpredetermined lengths each, a continuously moving sheet or ribbon ofglass. Such method consists in using, associated with an automaticsystem for tracing lines of cut upon the glass, a graduated rule whichtravels with the ribbon of glass. Upon such rule there are graduationmarks by which the length of glass to be cut may be determined.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus disclosed in applicationSerial No. 36,036, provided for carrying out such method, there isemployed a bridge disposed transversely of the ribbon of glass, suchbridge being provided with a glass cutting or line tracing tool. Therule is temporarily and releasably afiixed to the ribbon of glass totravel therewith by means of carriage. The rule is in such embodiment inthe form of a tube having a carriage releasably fixed to one end foradjustment therealong, so that the rule travels with the carriage as thelatter travels with the glass. The other end of the rule is providedwith a cam by means of which it may be afiixed to the bridge. Means areprovided for releasably fixing the bridge to the glass ribbon. Thecutting of the glass is carried out when the bridge is thus affixed tothe glass.

If it is desired to change the length of the section of glass thus to becut from the ribbon of glass, it is necessary to hold the rule fixed, tofree the carriage from the ribbon of glass, to determine on the rule thenew length of glass to be cut, and again to affix the carriage to therule in a new position of adjustment therealong. Since the ribbon ofglass continues to travel during the period required for such it may benecessary to make the next cut at a substantial distance from thepreceding cut other than the desired new length of section, thusproducing a piece of glass of an unwanted length, and resulting in aconsiderable waste of glass.

The present invention overcomes such difliculty. In accordance with thepresent invention, there are employed two independent graduated rules,each rule being associated with its own separate carriage in such mannerthat while one rule and carriage are being employed for cutting from theribbon a piece of glass having a previously predetermined length, theother rule and its carriage may be adjusted for cutting at a later timea piece of glass having a different length.

As well as resulting in the saving of considerable time and glass, asmentioned above, the present invention, in a manner to be explainedbelow, has the further advantage of permitting the cutting of glasspanels having lengths exceeding the length of the individual rules, forexample, multiples of such length, or lengths of intermediate values.

3,165,01? Patented Jan. 12, 1965 ice The above and further objects andnovel features of the invention will more fully appear from thefollowing description when the same is read in connection with theaccompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, thatthe drawings are for the purpose of illustration only, and are notintended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like partsthroughout the several views,

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in plan of a first embodiment of anapparatus made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a portion of theapparatus of FIG. 1, certain of the parts being shown in section andothers of the parts being broken away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view in side elevation of a portion of theapparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus being shown making a tranversetrace or cut in the glass ribbon, the cut being located by the use ofonly a first one of the measuring rules and its associated carriage withwhich the apparatus is provided;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view in side elevation of the apparatus of FIGS. 1and 2, the cutting tool of such apparatus being shown positioned to cuta glass panel of length by the use of the second one of the measuringrules;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view in side elevation of the apparatus of FIGS. 1and 2 with the parts in the positions which they may assume in asubsequent stage of the process of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view in side elevation of the apparatus of FIGS. 1and 2 with the parts in the positions which they assume in making a cutt located on the ribbon of glass by the rule la, the rule 1 being shownadjusted to permit the location of a subsequent cut at a distance l fromthe cut t FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a secondembodiment of glass cutting apparatus made in accordance with theinvention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a photoelectric scanningmechanism employed in the apparatus of FIG. 7 for determining the lengthof extension of a measuring rule from the bridge of the apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a view partially in elevation and partially in section of arule-gripping mechanism mounted in a carriage associated with a rule ofthe apparatus of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic wiring diagram of the apparatus for controllingthe mechanism of FIG. 9 by the mechanism of FIG. 8.

Turning now to the drawings, a first preferred illustrative embodimentof apparatus in accordance with the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.In such figures a strip of glass 4 is shown as being displaced to theright in the direction F. Strip 4 is supported as by rollers (not shown)during such travel. Tracks 25, 25a are disposed along respective sideedges of the glass stri and parallel thereto. A carriage 2 is mountedfor reciprocation along track 25 on rollers 24, as shown. A secondcarriage 2a which may be of the same construction as carriage 2, ismounted by rollers 24a for translation on and along track 2541 at theother side of sheet 4. A graduated rule or scale 1 in the form of a tubeis positioned laterally beyond and parallel to the strip of glass alongone edge thereof, a similar rule or scale in being positioned laterallybeyond and parallel to the strip of glass along the other edge thereof.The mechanisms associated with rules 1 and 1a are similar, thoseassociated with scale 1a are designated by the same reference charactersas those associated with rule 1 but with an added a. A detaileddescription of rule 1 and the mechanisms associated therewith willsuflice.

Rule 1 is mounted for sliding movement within carriage 2 on a rollerguide 15, FIG. 2; the scale 1 can be locked in any desired position oncarriage 2 by means of a setscrew 3 (FIGS. 1 and 3-6, inclusive).Mounted on rails 20, 20a extending along respective side edges of strip4 and parallel to guides 25, 25a is a bridge 8 which extendstransversely across glass strip 4. The rear end of scale 1 extendsthrough one end or" bridge 8 (the upper end in FIG. 1) and is slidinglymounted therein by a roller guide 16, FIG. 2. The left hand end of scale1 carries an enlarged head or abutment 6, there being a shock absorbingcoil compression spring 23 interposed between head 6 of the scale andthe bridge 8.

The head 6 on rule 1 has a transversely extending V groove or notch 6ain its upper surface. Secured to the left hand edge of carriage 2 is asimilar V-grooved block 7. Secured to the right and left hand edges ofbridge 8, respectively, as viewed upon FIG. 1, are selectively operablelocking bolts 11 and 12 which may be lowered in order to lockinglycooperate with the V-grooved members 7 and 6, respectively, or may beraised so that they are free from such members. The locking bolts may beoperated pneumatically by conventional means 13, 14, respectively, sothat bridge 8 can be locked either to scale I by means of the cam-boltcombination 6, 312 as seen in FIG. 2, or to the carriage 2 by means ofthe cam-bolt combination 7, 11 as seen in the upper portion of FIG. 4.

The pneumatic devices 13, 14 are jacks put into operation by adjoiningelectrically-operated valves and a switch or interrupter (not shown).Thus when the cam '7 of the carriage is about to be locked to bolt ill,the cam 7 touches the electrical interrupter which energizes the valve(not shown). Compressed air from a source (not shown) is thereby appliedto jack 13 and the bolt is lowered into the root of the ii-groove ofblock 7. The displacement of the carriage 2 in unison with the advancingstrip of glass 4 is brought about by a suction disc 5 or a pad whichoverlies the glass 4 and may be selectively raised and lowered so as tobe released from or connected to the glass strip 4. The return of thecarriage 2 to bridge 8 is brought about by a wheel ha ing a pneumatictire 17. Such wheel may be swiveled into contact with or away from ruleI by means of a pneumatic jack 18. When the wheel is pressed againstrule 1 and is driven in a counterclockwise direction as viewed upon FIG.2, the scale 1 and carriage 2 may be impelled rearwardly of the glassstrip, assuming that the suction cup 5 has been released from the glass.In commercial installations of the apparatus, it is preferred that thecontrols of the pneumatic jacks 13, 14, and 18 be automatic andsynchronized, so that the apparatus automatically repeatedly carries outthe sequence of operations now to be described in connection in FIGS.3-6, inclusive.

Bridge 8 carries a retractable suction disc or pad 22 which can eitherbe lowered to connect the bridge to the strip of glass 4 to cause thetwo to travel together, or

can be raised to disconnect the bridge from the strip of glass. As abovenoted, bridge 8 is guided for movement above and parallel to glass strip4 by guide rollers Sb and 8c resting upon guide rails iii, 2% which aresupported on opposite sides of the glass strip by supporting bracketssuch as that shown at 21 in FIG. 2. When bridge 8 is secured to carriage2 by locking bolt 11 and grooved block '7, the bridge and carriagetravel together. Bridge 8 is returned along scales 1 and in into contactwith abutments 6, 6:: thereof, by power means, not specifically shown.The above described helical spring 23 avoids mechanical shock when thebridge returns into final position and bolt 12 locks into the groovedelement 6. The cutting tool or wheel Ill is mounted in a carriage 3' fortravel along the length of bridge 3 by being mounted on suitable guidemeans running in a guideway 19 on the bridge.

The graduation of the scales or rule it and 1a is carried out asfollows: The zero or 0 graduation is at a distance a from the axis ofthe notch of the respective grooved element 6, 6a. In the apparatusshown, this length a is the distance separating the bolts 12, 12a fromthe cutting wheel 10 measured in the direction of travel of sheet 4, sothat in the position of the scale 1 shown in FIG. 3 the graduation zeroor 0 of the scale 1 is aligned with the cutting wheel It Rule la issimilarly graduated.

The apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 may be employed, by the use of one rule,such as rule 1, only, in the same manner as that disclosed in aforesaidapplication Serial No. 36,036. In FIG. 3, which corresponds to FIG. 5 inthe application Serial No. 36,036, a cut z, is traced by the cuttingtool 10. The lowered positions of the vacuum cup 22 of bridge 8 and 5 ofcarriage 2 indicate that such elements are affixed to the ribbon ofglass and travel therewith during the time necessary for forming cut iThe use of duplicate measuring scales 1, la, carriages 2, 2a, etc. atrespective side edges of sheet 4, in combination with a single bridge 8,enables a much greater versatility than in an installation using but asingle scale and carriage. For example, when carriages 2 and 2a areadjusted to the same reading on their respective scales 1 and In theinvention can be used so that alternate cuts are made as measured, firstby carriage 2 and scale 1, next by carriage 2a and rule In. Or, wherealternate cuts of different lengths are to be made, carriage 2 is fixedto and along scale 1 for one of the lengths and carriage 2a is fixed toand along scale in for the other of the lengths, so that by first usingscale 1 and carriage 2, and next, scale In and carriage 2a alternatecuts of the required difierent lengths of sheets may be made; and, ofcourse, either carriage may be adjusted to a new length indication withrespect to its scale, while the other is being used to make one or morecuts.

The operation is briefly resumed as follows:

The zero of each scale I and 1a is at the left end thereof as the partsare viewed upon H65. 1 through 6. In the case of scale for example, itszero graduation lies in the intersection with said scale of a planenormal to the plane of FIG. 3 and passing through cutter 1%, when theparts are in the relation shown upon this figure. From this zero mark,raduations extend on and along scale I to the right. Thus, any desiredlength of sheet is determined merely by loosening setscre 3 of carriage2, for example, and adjusting the carriage along and relatively to thescale until a pointer thereon, not shown, indicates the desired lengthof cut upon the scale. This pointer or index is, obviously, positionedin a second plane normal to the plane of FIG. 3 and intersecting thebottom of the V-notch in element 7. (.arriage 2a is similarly set orfixed to and along scale la, except of course that its setting may bedifferent from that of carriage 2.

Returning to carriage 2, a first cut is effected by movement of cutterlit on and along bridge 8, as the bridge, carriages and scales move as aunit with the moving sheet and with the parts, for example, in therelation shown at FIG. 4. Carriage 2 is then aflixed to the sheet bylowering of its pad or suction cup 5 and the bridge is freed fromcarriage 2 by raising bolt 11, and from the sheet by raising suctioncups or pads 22, 22a.

Carriage 2 and scale 2 now move forward with the glass while the bridgeis moved in retrograde translation, that is, in the direction oppositeto that indicated by arrow F. FIG. 1, until it engages head 6 fixed tothe left end of scale l and thereby causes lowering of bolt 12 into thenotch of the head and lowering of pad or suction cup 22 into contactwith the glass sheet.

The foregoing procedure describing operation of the device using but onerule and carriage, is repeated stepby-step as long as the length ofglass sections to be cut remains unchanged. However, if there is to be achange in length of sections, this may be effected when the bridge andcarriage are locked together, by loosening the set screw holding thecarriage to its rule, and sliding the rule through and relatively to thebridge and carriage until the desired new length is indicated on therule, by the index fixed with the carriage.

The addition of the second carriage 2a and rule In to the common bridge8, effects new and useful results per se, and in combination with thesemi-automatic photocell selector subsequently described. As an example,let it be assumed that it is required to cut alternate sheets todifferent lengths, say 3 feet and 4 feet. Referring to FIG. 4, let it beassumed that carriage 2a is set at the four-foot mark on its rule Ia andthat carriage 2 is set at the three-foot mark on rule I. It should bekept in mind that in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, bridge 8 is the same identicalbridge as that identified by 8a. This is clear from a comparison ofFIGURES 4, 5 and 6, with FIG- URE 7. In the latter figure, suction cups22, 22a are shown carried by the same bridge and these cups also appearupon FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

Starting with the parts as shown upon FIG. 4, both carriages 2 and 2aare locked to the bridge and suction cups 22, 22a are operative toattach the bridge directly to the glass ribbon. Cutter 10 is nowoperated to make a first cut. As indicated upon this figure, bothsuction cup 5 and 5a of carriages 2 and 20, respectively, are out ofholding contact with the ribbon of glass at this time.

Next, suction cup 5a is operated as indicated in FIG. 5 to securecarriage 2a to the glass ribbon and this carriage is then released frombridge 8 by release of locking bolt 11a, while carriage 2 remains lockedto the bridge and, of course, its suction cup 5 is free of the glass.Suction cups 22 and 22a are now released to free bridge 8 from the glassand the bridge, rule I, and carriage 2 are translated as a unitrearwardly, that is, to the left as the parts are viewed upon FIGS. 4, 5and 6, along and with respect to rule Ia, until bolt 12a interengageswith head 6a of this rule, as shown upon FIG. 6, to there by positioncutter 19a at exactly four feet rearwardly of the previous or first cut,that is, the distance identified at 1 FIGS. 4 and 6. At this time,suction cups 22, 22a may be moved into holding contact with the glassand the cutter 10a operated to make the second cut precisely four feetfrom the previous one.

Next, suction cup 5 is attached to the glass while, approximatelysimultaneously, cup 5a is released and rule 1a and its carriage 2a aretranslated rearwardly to bridge 8 until bolt 11a engages 7a and locksthe bridge and carriage 2a together. Now, with suction cups 22, 22areleased from the glass and bolt 11 freed from carriage 2, interlockedbridge 8, rule In and carriage 2a, are translated as a unit relativelyto and along rule 1 and the glass, until bolt 12 locks to head 6 tothereby position the cutter at exactly three feet rearwardly of thesecond cut, that is, the distance identified upon FIG. 6. Suction cups22, 22a are again operated to fix the bridge to the glass, and thecutter is operated to make the third cut. Next, suction cup 5 isreleased from the glass and carriage 2 and its rule are translatedrearwardly until bolt 11 locks to head 7 of the carriage, therebyrestoring the parts to the positions shown upon FIG. 4.

The cycle just described, of course, requires much less time than istaken to describe it. Furthermore, this is but one of a large number ofways in which the apparatus may be usefully employed. Thus, thedistances measured by rules I, la, alternately, may be the same. Or,while a cut is being made as measured by one rule, the setting of theother carriage on and along its rule may be adjusted for a new length ofsection of glass to be measured and cut. Thus, for example, FIG. 5 showsthe bridge, carriage 2 and rule 1 being translated rearwardly along ruleIn which, at this time is fixed to the glass by suction cup 5a. Thus,during this interval, set

screw 3 may be released and rule I slid along and relatively to itscarriage and the bridge and fixed to the carriage in a new setting for anew length of sheet section. This operation is facilitated, of course,by the semi-automatic photo-cell control of FIGS. 7 through 10.

Where a section of glass is required having a length greater than thatof the effective length of either of the rules I, la, it is merelynecessary to adjust the carriages, each along its respective rule, untilthe sum of the indications on the rules equals the required length ofglass section. Then the cycle just described is carried out except thatthe second cut of the described cycle is omitted. In an obvious way, thethird cut of the described cycle will then be a distance from the firstcut, equfl to the sum of the distances indicated by the carriages 2, 2n,upon their respective rules. For example, in the cycle described, aglass section seven feet in length will be obtained when the aforesaidsecond cut is omitted.

In some instances it is desirable to cut a relatively short section ofglass. For example, where the operator desires to cut out a relativelyshort section of glass containing a defect or imperfection he cantemporarily adjust one rule, such as 1, FIG. 5, relatively to itscarriage and the bridge, until member 6 will lie just rearwardly of thedefect when bolt 12a interlocks with member 6a, so that the succeedingcut measured by rule 1 will remove the defect, with a minimum waste ofglass.

As an example, let it be assumed that it is required to cut alternatesheets to different lengths of, say, 3 feet and 4 feet each. Referringto FIG. 4, let it be supposed that carriage 2a is set at the 4-foot markon its rule In; and that carriage is set at the 3-foot mark on rule 1.It should be kept in mind that in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, bridge 8 is the sameidentical bridge as that identified by 8a. This is clear from acomparison of FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, with FIG. 7. In the latter figure,suction cups 22, 22a are shown carried by the same bridge, and thesecups also appear upon FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

Starting with the parts as shown upon FIG. 4, both carriages 2 and 2aare locked to the bridge and suction cups 22, 22:: are operative toattach the bridge directly to the glass ribbon. Cutter 1%) is nowoperated to make a cut. As indicated upon this figure, both suction cups5 and 5a of carriages 2 and 2a, respectively, are out of holding contactwith the ribbon of glass at this time.

Next, suction cup 5a is operated as indicated in FIG. 5 to securecarriage 2a to the glass ribbon and this carriage is then released frombridge 8 by release of locking bolt Ila, while carriage 2 remains lockedto the bridge and, of course, its suction cup 5 is free of the glass.Suction cups 22 and 220 are now released to free bridge 8 from the glassand the bridge, rule 1, and carriage 2 are now translated as a unitrearwardly, that is, to the left as the parts are viewed, upon FIGS. 4,5 and 6 along and with respect to rule 10, until bolt 12a interengageshead 6a of this rule, as shown upon FIG. 6, to thereby position cutter10:: at exactly four feet rearwardly of the previous cut, that is, thedistance identified at 1 FIGS. 4 and 6. At this time, suction cups 22,22a, may be moved into holding contact with the glass, and the cutter 10operated to make the second cut precisely four feet from the previousone.

Next, suction cup 5 is attached to the glass, while, approximatelysimultaneously, cup 5a is released and rule In and its carriage 2a, aretranslated rearwardly relatively to bridge 8 until bolt 11a engages 7aand locks the bridge and carriage 2a together. Now, with suction cups22, 22a released from the glass, and bolt 11 freed from carriage 2,interlocked bridge 8, rule Ia and carriage 2a, are translated as a unitrelatively to and along rule I and the glass, until bolt 12 locks tohead 6 to thereby position the cutter at exactly three feet rearwardlyof the second cut, that is, the distance 1 identified upon FIG. 6.Suction cups 22, 22a are again operated to fix the bridge to the glass,and the cutter is operated to make the third cut. Next, suction cup 5 isreleased from the glass and carriage 2 and its rule are translatedrearwardly until bolt 11 locks to head 7 of the carriage, therebyrestoring the parts to the positions shown upon FIG. 4.

A second embodiment of glass cutting apparatus in accordance with theinvention is shown in FIGS. 7-10, inclusive. In such figures, partswhich are similar to those in FIGS. 1-6, inclusive, are designated withthe same reference characters as those employed in FIGS. 1-6. Thetransverse bridge 8 travels along tracks 2t"; and 2%, the bridge beingselectively moved by being affixed to the glass 4 by suction heads 22and 22a operated respectively by gearmotors 26 and 26a carried by bridge8 as shown. The measuring rules are designated 1' and 1a, the endsnearer the observer as the parts are viewed upon FIG. 7 being supportedby and slidable relatively to carriages 2' and 2a. Such carriages travelalong their own tracks 25, 252, respectively, parallel to the edges ofglass by being secured to the glass by suction heads 5 and 5a, eachunder control of a respective one of motors 27 and 27a, mounted on therespective carriages. As indicated in FIG.- 7, motors 26 and 26a arepowered through flexible cables 29 and 29a, and motors 27 and 27a arepowered through cables 32 and 324:, respectively. The suction heads 22,22a carried by bridge 8 are exhausted through flexible conduits 3t? andElla and the suction heads 5, So on the carriages are exhausted throughconduits 31 and 31a. All of such cables and conduits lead to appropriatesupports positioned above the glass cutting apparatus and preferablythence lead to a central control station. The cables and conduits are ofsuthcient length to permit the unimpeded movement of the bridge andcarriages throughout operative range parallel to the glass ribbon 4.

The apparatus of FIGS. 7-10, inclusive, diliers from that of FIGS. 1-6,inclusive, principally in the character of the means employed to securecarriages 2 and 2a to their respective rules 1 and la, so that suchcarriages and rules will measure correctly the length of the next panelof glass to be cut. To accomplish these functions, the apparatus isprovided with the mechanisms shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10. Each of rules1 and in has a cross section, as shown in FIG. 8, wherein the rule has atubular body and an elongated fin-like flange 3 hr projecting from theupper surface thereof. Flange 3 5a is provided with a plurality ofequally spaced narrow vertically disposed slits 35a. Affixed to carriageZn on one side of the opening therethrough receiving the rule is a lightsource 36 which projects a narrow beam of light against and normal tothe flange 3 such flange thus acting at times as a mask for the light.Aftixed to carriage 2a at a position opposite the light source andbeyond the flange 34 is a photoelectric cell 37. The parts are soarranged that as the rule travels with respect to the carriage 2a, beingdriven, for example, by a friction wheel such as that depicted at 17,FIG. 2, engaging the lower surface of the rule, the photoelectric cell37 generates a current pulse upon the passage of each slit 35a betweenthe light source and the cell.

The construction just described enables each of the carriages 2 and 2ato be positioned at respective predetermined positions, eachindividually, along and with respect to its corresponding rule 1 and la,and there releasably secured by admission of air under pressure to therespective cylinders 39, 3%. Each rule and its carriage may be movedforwardly as a unit with respect to bridge 8, by operation of a frictionwheel corresponding in structure and function to wheel 17, FIG. 2.

The gripping means associated with each of carriages 2' and 2a isillustrated in FIG. 9. As there shown, carriage 2a is provided with apneumatic cylinder 3% to which air under pressure i selectively fed by aflexible conduit 40a. Within carriage 2a the rule in passes between ajaw 50, fixed with the carriage and a jaw 41 fixed to the outer end ofpiston rod $10. of piston 41!; slidably fitting cylinder 3% and which isurged against the rule when air or other fluid under pressure isadmitted through conduit tla to cylinder 39a, under control of thephotoelectric means previously described, to thereby clamp the carriageto its rule.

As shown in FlG. ii the photoelectric counting means delivers itsgenerated impulses to an electronic counter 42. Such counter, which maybe of conventional design, may be adjusted to respond only when it hasreceived an adjustably predcter iined, present number of impulses fromthe photoelectric scanner. Vthen such number of impulses has beenreceived, the counter opens an electromagnetically controlled valve towhich is interposed in conduit 46a, thereby to subject gripping cylinder39a to pressure as aforesaid.

The desired positioning of the carriages with respect to theirrespective rules may be effected as follows: Taking carriage 2a, forexample, and assuming that carriage 2a is in its limiting position atthe forward end of the rule, as determined, for example. a stop orabutment, not shown, fixed to the rule and engaging the carriage, cam 6ais released from its bolt 12a and carriage 2a is moved rearwardly towardbridge 8a until its cam 7a lockingly engages the bolt 11a on the bridge,as shown in the upper portion of FIG. 4. Assuming that the length ofsheet to be cut is less than the full length provided by the rule, therule la is then released from carriage 2a and is then caused to travelforwardly, that is, in the direction of travel of sheet 4 as indicatedby arrow F in FIG. 7 by rotation of friction wheel 17a. Electroniccounter 42 has been previously set for the number of impulses which willtake place while rule la is moving forwardly with respect to carriage 2afrom its aforesaid limiting position, to a position relatively theretocorresponding to the desired ength of sheet or panel to be cut. As therule moves forwardly, an impulse is created as each slit 35a passes inalignment with lamp 36 and cell 37 so that when the photoelectriccounter has received the preset number of impulses, in response totravel of rule la, the predetermined distance to the right with respectto carriage 20', it closes a circuit to open valve 44, thereby securingthe carriage to the rule in the manner previously described. Thus thephotoelectric scanner and the electronic counter cooperate to controlthe distance which has been subtracted from the effective length of therule 1a when it was in its aforesaid limiting position with respect toits carriage. F /hen the carriage 2a and rule la secured thereto arethen released by disengagement of bolt lla from cam 7a and the carriageand its rules are moved forwardly as a unit into a positioncorresponding to that of FIG. 3, wherein the cam 6a and bolt 126: arelockingly engaged, the position of the next transverse cut to bedetermined by the use of the thus adjusted rule will be correct or, inother words, carriage 2a will then lie at a desired predetermineddistance from bridge 8a, and the next cut to be made by the cutting toolwill result in a panel cut from the glass ribbon of the predetermineddesired length.

In the desired embodiments, the glass ribbon is shown moving in thedirection F, and the carriages are shown disposed downstream of theribbon With respect to the bridge, the carriages thereby pulling therules. The invention may be used equally well, however, when the glassribbon travels in a direction opposite from the arrow F; in such casethe carriages will then be positioned upstream of the glass with respectto the bridge, and such carriages will exert a thrusting force on therules.

Although only a limited number of embodiments of the invention have beenillustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoingspecification, it is to be especially understood that various changes,such as in the relative dimensions of the parts, materials used, and thelike, as well as the suggested manner of use of the apparatus of theinvention, may be made therein with- 9 out departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as will now be apparent to those skilled in theart.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of automatically transversely cutting an elongated materialin form of strip, tube or the like preferably of a glass strip movingforwardly in the direction of its length into a series of pieces ofmaterial, which comprises aligning a first measuring scale with thelength of the material and causing it to travel in synchronismtherewith, accurately aligning a cutting tool with a predeterminedposition adjacent one end of the first measuring scale while causing thetool to travel in synchronism with the material, moving the tool in afirst operative scoring stroke generally transverse to the length of thematerial while causing it to move with the material along the path ofthe latter, aligning a second measuring scale with the length of thematerial and causing it to travel in synchronism therewith, accuratelyaligning a predetermined position adjacent the same end of the secondmeasuring scale with the cutting tool while causing the tool to travelin synchronism with the material, moving the tool forwardly with respectto the material and the second measuring scale until the tool is alignedwith a predetermined position on the second measuring scale spacedlongitudinally of the material from the said predetermined position onthe first scale, and moving the tool in a second operative scoringstroke generally transverse to the length of the material while causingit to move with the material along the path of the latter, and movingthe tool forwardly with respect to the material and the first measuringscale until the tool is aligned with a predetermined second position onthe first measuring scale spaced longitudinally of the material from thesaid predetermined position on the first scale.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising adjusting the saidpredetermined position on the second scale during the time that the toolis making the first operative scoring stroke.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the same ends of the scalesare selectively secured to the moving material.

4. A method of automatically transversely cutting an elongated materialin form of strip, tube or the like preferably of a glas strip movingforwardly in the direction of its length into a series of pieces ofmaterial, which comprises aligning first and second measuring scaleswith the length of the material and causing them to travel insynchronism therewith, accurately aligning a cutting tool with apredetermined first positon adjacent one end of the first measuringscale while causing the tool to travel in synchronism with the material,moving the scoring tool in a first operative scoring stroke generallyacross the length of the material while causing it to move with thematerial along the path of the latter, moving the tool with respect tothe material and the second measuring scale until the tool is alignedwith a second position on the second measuring scale spacedlongitudinally from the first cut made by the tool, and moving the toolin a second operative scoring stroke generally across the length of thematerial while causing it to move with the material along thte path ofthe latter.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein each time after the tool hasbeen moved with respect to the material the tool is secured to thematerial to move forwardly therewith.

6. A method of automatically transversely cutting an elongated materialin the form of strip, tube or the like preferably of a glass stripmoving forwardly in the direction of its length into a series of piecesof material, which comprises aligning first and second measuring scaleswith the length of the material and causing them to travel insynchronism therewith, accurately aligning a cutting tool with apredetermined first position adjacent one end of the first measuringscale while causing the tool to travel in synchronism with the material,moving the tool in a first operative scoring stroke generally transverseto the length of the material while causingit to move with the materialalong the path of the latter, moving the tool with respect to thematerial to a position aligned with a predetermined position on thefirst scale, then further moving the tool with respect to the materialto a position aligned with a predetermined position on the second scale,and only after such second movement of the tool moving the tool in asecond operative scoring stroke generally transverse to the length ofthe material while causing it to move with the material along the pathof the latter.

7. The method of successively cutting into sections of predeterminedlengths a ribbon of glass moving in the direction of its length, bymeans of a scoring tool mounted for travel along a guide waytransversely of the ribbon and translatable in said direction,comprising, measuring the length of each section to be cut successivelyby respective ones of two measuring means each individually capable ofperforming a measuring operation and each adapted to enter into lockingengagement with the guideway before and after a measuring operationthereby, effecting relative displacement between the measuring means andthe guideway, in said direction and over a predetermined distancecorresponding to the required length of the section of glass to be cut,each measuring operation being carried out successively by saidmeasuring means while the locking position corresponding to the lengthof the next section of glass to be cut is adjusted on the othermeasuring means by positioning the same in looking engagement with theguideway for the next measuring operation, moving the scoring tool alongthe guideway in contact with the glass to score the same transverselywhile the guideway is secured to the ribbon after the length of sectionto be cut has been measured, and releasing the guideway from the ribbonafter the scoring tool has completed its movement across the ribbon.

8. The method of cutting lengths of glass from a ribbon of glass movingin the direction of its length by means of a scoring tool mounted fortravel along a transverse guideway movable lengthwise of the ribbon, inwhich the length of glass to be cut is measured by moving the guidewayfor predetermined distances from first to second positions adjustable onone of successively two measuring means, each measuring operation beingcarried out by moving one measuring means relatively to the guidewayuntil said guideway isaligned with a first position on said measuringmeans while the guideway is traveling in synchronism with the glassribbon, causing said measuring means to travel in synchronism with theglass ribbon, moving the guideway until it is aligned with a secondposition on said measuring means and travels in synchronism with theglass ribbon, meanwhile moving the other measuring means relatively tothe guideway until said guideway is aligned with a first position onsaid measuring means, causing said measuring means to travel insynchronism with the glass ribbon and moving the guideway to perform thenext measuring operation, and moving the scoring tool along the guidewayin contact with the glass for scoring the ribbon while the guideway istraveling in synchronism with the glass ribbon.

9. An apparatus for automatically cutting a sheet material, inparticular a glass sheet, into smaller pieces of predetermined length,which comprises a plurality of carriages, means to guide the carriagesfor reciprocation longitudinally of the sheet, a generally transversebridge adapted to overlie the sheet, means to mount and guide the bridgefor reciprocation along the sheet parallel to the path of saidcarriages, a cutting tool mounted for guided movement by and along thebridge, first and second elongated measuring scales disposed parallel tothe length of the sheet material, each said scale extending between arespective one of said carriages and said bridge, means to releasablysecure each of the scales to its respective carriage in a selectedposition of adjustment therealong and to said bridge, and meansselectively and independently 1 l to secure each said carriage andbridge to the sheet and to release it therefrom.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, comprising means selectively tosecure each of the scales to its respective carriage at a desiredposition longitudinally of the scale, and means mounting said scales formovement with respect to the bridge.

'11. An apparatus for automatically cutting a strip of sheet glasstravelling in a path, comprising a plurality of carriages, meanssupporting the carriages for travel parallel to the path of travel ofthe glass strip, a bridge confronting a broad surface of the strip ofglass, means sup porting the bridge for travel parallel to the path oftravel of the glass strip, a cutting tool mounted on the bridge formovement therealong and across the travelling sheet of glass, aplurality of measuring scales, each such scale being supported by itsrespective carriage, means selectively to secure the bridge to the stripof glass so that the bridge is directly moved by the strip, means forselectively securing each of the carriages to the strip so that eachcarriage is directly moved by the strip and means operable to releasablysecure one end of each said scale to said bridge for movement as a unittherewith.

12. An apparatus for automatically cutting a sheet material, inparticular a glass sheet, into smaller pieces of predetermined length,which comprises a carriage, means to guide the carriage forreciprocation longitudinally of the sheet, an at least generallytransverse bridge adapted to overlie the sheet, means to guide thebridge for reciprocation along the sheet parallel to the path of thecarriage, a cutting tool mounted for movement along the bridge, anelongated measuring scale extending between ,iluid motor including afluid-pressure cylinder for advancing the jaws relatively toward eachother to grip the scale, and means to control the admission of fluidunder pressure to said cylinder.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, comprising vmeans responsive toa predetermined distance of travel of the scale with respect to thebridge for operating the means to control the admission of fluid to thegripper-operating cylinder.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the means responsive toa predetermined distance of travel of the scale with respect to thebridge comprises a first unit comprising a source of light and aphotoelectric cell spaced from the source and adapted to receive lighttherefrom and a second unit comprising an elongated mask having aplurality of spaced apertures therealong disposed between the source oflight and the photoelectric cell, one of the units being fixedly mountedon the carriage and the other of the units being mounted on the scale totravel therewith, an electric counter connected to receive electricalimpulses generated by the photoelectric cell as the two units travelrelatively to each other, and circuit means connecting the counter andthe means to control the admission of fluid to the cylinder, whereby thegripper clamps the scale upon the reception of a predetermined number ofelectrical impulses by the counter.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first unit ismounted on the bridge and the second unit is mounted on the scale.

17. in an apparatus for cutting lengths of glass from a ribbon of glassmoving in the direction of its length, a guideway disposed over andtransversely of the path of the ribbon and movable in said direction,first and second measuring means each independently securable to theribbon and means operable selectively to lock each said measuring meansto said guideway when the same has moved away from said guideway apredetermined distance corresponding to the required length of glass tobe cut.

18. in an apparatus for successively severing into predeterminedlengths, a ribbon of glass moving in the direction of its length, abridge extending transversely across the sheet and independently movablein said direction, means carried by said bridge for releasabiy securingit to the sheet, first and second carriages each mounted adjacent thesheet for independent movement in said direction, means carried by eachsaid carriage for releasably securing it to the shee first and secondrules extending in said direction and each slidably associated with arespective one of said carriages and with said bridge, and meansoperable to releasably and selectively connect each said rule with saidbridge.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, and means operable to releasably secureeach said carriage to its said rule, in a selected position of lengthadjustment therealong.

ferenccs (Iited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS1,710,898 Rowley Apr. 30, 1929 1,720,54 Drake July 9, 1929 1,853,498Blive-n Apr. 12, 1932 2,058,33 Gaskell Oct. 20, 1936 2,323,686Sommerfeld July 6, 1943 2,539,511 Dunner Nov. 21, 1950 2,747,280 KurataMay 29, 1956 2,943,393 lnsolo July 5, 1960 2,964,848 Gonsalves Dec. 20,1960 2,994,000 Schoppelrey July 25, 1961 3,081,657 Harris Mar. 19, 19633,097,789 Kassel et al. July 16, 1963

6. A METHOD OF AUTOMATICALLY TRANSVERSELY CUTTING AN ELONGATED MATERIALIN THE FORM OF STRIP, TUBE OR THE LIKE PREFERABLY OF A GLASS STRIPMOVING FORWARDLY IN THE DIRECTION OF ITS LENGTH INTO A SERIES OF PIECESOF MATERIAL, WHICH COMPRISES ALIGNING FIRST AND SECOND MEASURING SCALESWITH THE LENGTH OF THE MATERIAL AND CAUSING THEM TO TRAVEL INSYNCHRONISM THEREWITH, ACCURATELY ALIGNING A CUTTING TOOL WITH APREDETERMINED FIRST POSITION ADJACENT ONE END OF THE FIRST MEASURINGSCALE WHILE CAUSING THE TOOL A TRAVEL IN SYNCHRONISM WITH THE MATERIAL,MOVING THE TOOL IN A FIRST OPERATIVE SCORING STROKE GENERALLY TRANSVERSETO THE LENGTH OF THE MATERIAL WHILE CAUSING IT TO MOVE WITH THE MATERIALALONG THE PATH OF THE LATTER, MOVING THE TOOL WITH RESPECT TO THEMATERIAL TO A POSITION ALIGNED WITH A PREDETERMINED POSITION ON THEFIRST SCALE, THEN FURTHER MOVING THE TOOL WITH RESPECT TO THE MATERIALTO A POSITION ALIGNED WITH A PREDETERMINED POSITION ON THE SECOND SCALE,AND ONLY AFTER SUCH SECOND MOVEMENT OF THE TOOL MOVING THE TOOL IN ASECOND OPERATIVE SCORING STROKE GENERALLY TRANSVERSE TO THE LENGTH OFTHE MATERIAL WHILE CAUSING IT TO MOVE WITH THE MATERIAL ALONG THE PATHOF THE LATTER.